Jesus, Tuis In Jou Hart — Pete BriscoeVoorbeeld

An Affectionate Invitation

When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die. — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Let me share a little unsolicited dating advice. You should never invite someone into a relationship with the words, “I love you, come die.” It might have worked for Romeo and Juliet, but I’m certain Shakespeare squeezed the only ounce of romance from that line.

Think about it: “I love you, come die.”

It doesn’t exactly paint a portrait of a bright future. It’s not very high on the scale of warm fuzzies. Coming from the wrong person, it’d likely cause you to reach for your phone and call the police. But coming from Jesus, “I love you, come die” isn’t a threat. It’s an amazing invitation to live!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20a)

Let that soak in for a moment. We were taken to the cross with Jesus. By trusting in Him, His death is applied to us, and the resurrection is as well. It’s amazingly powerful. Christ is living, acting, and leading in us—in you. “I love you, come die… and you will find life.”

It’s an invitation from God Himself that changes the course of our lives. It changes the essence of who we are. I’m no longer Pete doing things for Pete, living life for Pete, serving God with Pete’s own efforts. Rather, God’s Word and His Spirit call us into a deeper, more profound existence:

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25)

We’ve died to a life defined by self and we’re alive to Christ. Said another way, the living Son of God indwells us! Isn’t that incredible?

Lord, I’ve been trying to save my life—but I’ve died with You and You fill me with Your life. You’ve been alive in me all along. Lord, I praise You that I don’t need more strength. You are my strength. I don’t need to chase after Your Spirit. Your Spirit is in me. I collapse before You today as one who is dead to self and alive through You. Please show me one new way You wish to live through me today. Amen.